This is not the official syllabus for our course. I am still preparing the syllabus and want to consult other textbooks before finishing my plans.

Handout for Freshmen in Father Bauer’s CC class

e-mail 015130@mail.fju.edu.tw / phone: 2905-3522 (h) / night office 2905-2826 (8:15 – 10:15 p.m.) / day office 2905-2565

This is not the official syllabus for our course. I am still preparing the syllabus and want to consult other textbooks before finishing my plans.

This handout for our first week of class will be useful as a preview to our 1

semester together. CC teachers work with their students for the entire year, so I am looking forward to being with you in 1

and 2

semester.

Textbook: Composing our World, by Cathy Dibello and Wen Ting-shu (Taipei, Shu-lin) 2007. // MLA Handbook / / Dictionary – Longman’s In first semester, we will study and practice four basic writing modes:

narration, description, process analysis, and comparison and contrast.

I will offer supplementary material on description. Our textbook offers excellent material for the other modes.

For each mode, in the 1

semester you will write one 3 page composition and do at least one revision. Please always hand back to me the original copy of your composition with your ‘rewrite.’

#1 Narration – Due October 16 . . . A narrative essay more or less makes one or more points for readers’ consideration by telling a story. A

narrative essay may be based on a personal experience or on the

experience of someone you know. Possible topics: “My first three weeks at Fu-ta,” or “An interesting experience I had last summer,” or “What I did for the mid-autumn festival.”

#2 Process analysis – Due November 9 . . . A process essay tells readers how to carry out a project or “do something.” This may be called a Step by step description. Possible topics: “Taking care of a pet,” or “Finding the ‘right style’ for myself” (hair, way of dressing, general appearance), or “What I do to beat the blues.”

#3 Description – to be explained later – due December 4

#4 Comparison and Contrast – due January 4 . . . A comp / con essay compares two things, persons, situations and so on with each other. A comp / con essay points out various similarities and differences and may allow readers to reach their own conclusions at the end. A good comp/con essay may attempt to persuade a reading audience to think or act in a certain specific way (comparison of two political parties or candidates for example, or a comparison of two computers so readers know which they prefer to buy). A comp / con essay may inform an audience on a topic (how baseball is different than European football, or how Chinese food may be healthier than American food). A comp / con essay may entertain an audience (description of two interesting persons / personalities or of two current popular movies). Actually comp / con essays are extremely useful. We can use comparison and contrast for many reasons or goals.

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Our CC course also requires five journals. Teachers may have different views about journal writing. My view is that students should write their journals in their best English, and then put the journal aside for a rest.

Students should pick up the journal at a later time, 2 days later perhaps, and then look for grammar errors and correct them. Then rewrite to the best of your ability. Your journal should not contain material you have written for a composition for your CC course. Your journal should not be overly-organized.

You can write your journal about any daily life topics you wish, personal experiences, problems or frustrations you are facing, or about a movie you like, or current events in the news. A journal is excellent PRACTICE of your writing of English.

You may write 2 or 3 paragraphs or more on one topic and then change in your journal to another topic. Do not write your journal all at one time, revise quickly, rewrite, and then immediately hand it in. NO! The best way is to write a few paragraphs every few days . . . you will then easily have plenty of journal writing to choose from when you want to revise and prepare the final copy for your teacher. After I read your journal, I will comment on it, but will not ask for a rewrite.

Journal due dates: October 19 / November 23 / December 7 / December

28 / January 11 - - / / I will compute grades according to this scale:

compositions 40% / journals 40% / class participation 20% // Plagiarism may result in failure in this course. Never plagiarize.

Please always feel free to contact me by e-mail or telephone.